Andy Carroll is expected to remain sidelined until the end of January so Carlton Cole is likely to continue in attack for West Ham.

In the absence of Mohamed Diame, Matthew Taylor could feature again in midfield, although Jack Collison is also available. George McCartney is the only other absentee, with James Collins and Kevin Nolan set to return after suspension.

Sir Alex Ferguson will rest Michael Carrick and Patrice Evra, and Robin van Persie is likely to join the experienced duo on the sidelines. Wayne Rooney is injured, leaving Danny Welbeck and Chicharito as the 71-year-old's other available strikers.

Tom Cleverley and Shinji Kagawa are in line for starts in midfield, while Nemanja Vidic and Chris Smalling could step up their returns from injury. Phil Jones could make the squad after injury but the game will come too soon for Nani and Anderson.

DID YOU KNOW?

West Ham last met Manchester United in the FA Cup in January 2003, when the Red Devils romped to a 6-0 victory. Michael Carrick was on the losing side that day.

The Hammers have won the cup three times, with their last victory in the final coming against Arsenal in 1980. Trevor Brooking (pictured right) scored the only goal in a 1-0 win.

Two of their FA Cup triumphs came under the management of John Lyall (1975 and 1980). The first was won by future England boss Ron Greenwood in 1964.

After guiding them to promotion from the Championship, Alan Pardew took West Ham to the FA Cup final in 2006. They lost a dramatic encounter to Liverpool, however, and Pardew was sacked the following season.

Manchester United have won the FA Cup on 11 occasions, but not since 2004 when they recorded a 3-0 victory over Millwall at the Millennium Stadium.

Sir Alex Ferguson's first silverware at Old Trafford came in the 1990 FA Cup final, when Crystal Palace were beaten after a replay.

It is often suggested that Sir Alex would have been sacked had Manchester United not secured the trophy that year, but the Scottish boss has claimed that his position was safe.

Manchester United will be looking to balance the head-to-head record between the two clubs in this competition at Upton Park on Saturday. West Ham currently boast four wins to Manchester United's three, with the sides having drawn once. The visitors are 7/1 to beat the Hammers 2-1 with bet365.

Players to watch

With Andy Carroll having failed to regularly find the target and now injured regardless, more responsibility has fallen to Cole than might have been expected since the Liverpool man was signed on loan. He has not always stepped up to the mark - for a man of his size, he struggles to impose himself on the game too often - but, unless Sam Allardyce springs a surprise and selects Modibo Maiga, he will need to lead the line effectively if the Hammers are to be successful against the league leaders.

The Japan international's integration into the Old Trafford set-up has been held back by injury but he is capable of adding a different dimension to the Manchester United attack when fit and firing. With Wayne Rooney injured and Robin van Persie likely to be rested, he may be entrusted with a more advanced role at Upton Park.

Editor's Prediction

West Ham suffered a poor December and their victory over Norwich - which was made much simpler by an early penalty - was their first since December 1 when they beat Chelsea. Upton Park will be in full voice for this third round tie but even a weakened Manchester United team should have enough to see off the Hammers. They have been in fine form in recent weeks.